Letter opener



Nov. 1

3, 1945.- A. A. KRIEWALbT LETTER OPENER Filed Aug. 5, 1944 In ven to rPatented Nov. 13, 1945 LETTER OPENER Alex A. Kriewaldt, Oconto, Wis.,assignor of onehalf to Harold W. Krueger, Oconto, Wis.

Application August 5, 1944, Serial No. 548,202

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in astationery device particularly for desk use, and has for its primaryobject to provide a letter opener including a blade and unique means forfirmly securing said blade in position whereby an edge thereof may beused.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an article of thecharacter set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction,strong, durable, compact, attractive in appearance and which may bemanufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingwherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

.Figure 2 is an elevational view, looking at one end of the device. 7

Figure 3 is an elevational view, looking at the other end of the device.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises asubstantially rectangular body or block I of suitable material, whichblock may be of any desired dimensions. Extending from end to end of theblock I in the top thereof and adjacent the longitudinal sides of saidblock are grooves or channels 2. The end portions of the grooves 2 arelaterally off"s'et relative to each other, providing obliqueintermediate portions 3.

Between the grooves 2 an intermediate portion of the block I is cut awayin a manner to provide a depression or recess 4 which communicatesthroughout its length with said grooves. The recess 4 is shallower thanthe grooves 2. The recess 4 is for the reception of a double-edgedremovable blade 5 which is so positioned that the end portions of thecutting edges thereof extend obliquely across the grooves 2.

An elongated bar 6 fits into the recess 4 for clamping the blade 5 inposition. The longitudinal edges of the bar 6 conform to the opposedouter walls of the grooves 2. A screw I secures the bar 6 in position.The blade 5 is mounted betwen gaskets 8 of suitable material. The screw1 passes through openings which are provided therefor in the members 6,8 and 5 and is threaded into the block I.

On one end portion of the block lis a pencil sharpener 9. Thesharpener-9 includes a substantially conical socket II! for thereception of a pencil, said socket l0 extending into said block I fromone end thereof and communicating with the top of said block. A blade II is recessed into the top of the block I in a manner to be flushtherewith and said blade projects over the socket I0. Extendinglongitudinally into the block I from the other end thereof is anelongated chamber I2 for the reception of a supply of mechanical pencilleads. A screw plug l3 closes the lead chamher 52. The lead chamber I2is located between one of the longitudinal sides of the block I and theadjacent groove 2.

It is thought that the manner in which the device is used will bereadily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. When a paperweight is desired, the block I serves as such. Any suitable advertisingor other matter may be carried on the lower face of the block I. Tosharpen a pencil, said pencil is inserted in the socket In in engagementwith the cutting edge of the blade II. The block I is then turned in anobvious manner while the pencil is held stationary for causing thebladeII to put a point on said pencil. By engaging one end portion of anenvelope in either of the grooves 2 and then pulling the block I alongan edge of the envelope, said envelope may be rapidly and neatly openedwithout damaging the contents thereof through the medium of the blade 5.As hereinbefore stated, the cutting edges of the blade 5 extenddiagonally across the grooves 2 for cutting off the lower portions ofthe envelopes as the block I is moved thereon. By simply removing thescrew I and the bar 5, the blade 5 may be conveniently reversed orremoved for replacement.

It is believed that the many advantages of a combination stationerydevice constructed in accordance with the present invention will bereadily understood, and although a preferred embodiment is asillustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in thedetails of construction may be resorted to which will fall within thescope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: I

A device of the character described comprising an elongated block havinga groove in its top portion extending from end to end thereof, saidgroove including laterally offset end portion and further including asubstantially oblique intermediate portion connecting said end portions,the block further having a recess in its intermediate top portioncommunicating with the groove, a blade mounted in the recess and havingits cutting edge extending obliquely across the groove at a pointadjacent the substantially oblique intermediate portion of said groove,a bar mounted in the recess and engaged with the blade, and a screwpassing through the bar and the blade and threaded into the block forsecuring said bar and said bladein position.

ALEX A. KRIEWALDT.

